October 2025 was manic. We got back from overseas on the 1st and I hit the road running! I felt like I was playing catch up for the first two weeks with so many things needing my attention. And for the first time in months, we had a few really busy days at work. With no time for blogging, I was really grateful for the posts I had already scheduled. It meant one less thing to feel pressured by when so much else needed to be done.
Recipes from my blog in October 2025
There was an even spread of chicken and vegetarian dishes on the blog this month. First I made chicken cacciatore, and then some chicken meatballs. Baked pasta was followed by confit chickpeas, which need to be made again to turn into hummus. For sweet treats there were carrot cake rusks, Dutch apple cake and chocolate pistachio biscuits. As an aside, my fingers always want to type the Italian spelling for pistacchio!
One new thing in my kitchen
As I was not 100% happy with the silicone baking mat I bought, I ordered a silicone baking tray. This arrived at the end of July and I still have not used it! I need to bake some cookies to test how well it works, so that will be my plan for this month. In the meantime I made a batch of granola using the silicone mat, with baking paper underneath, and it worked well. So at least I can make it work with what I have.
This is my November submission to the #IMK series hosted by Sherry. Each month bloggers around the world gather to share what is new in their kitchens.
See the links below for blog posts I published on November 4:
- 2020: October 2020 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2019: Courgette Chutney
- 2018: House of Spies
- 2016: Kimchi
- 2015: November 2015 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2011: Pickled Garlic / Presto Pasta Nights 239
- 2010: Gooseberry Sauce
Why did you need baking paper if using silicone mat??
Because the silicone mat does not go up the sides of the deep tray. I use the mat to make it easier to get the granola off the bottom 🙂
Hey Tandy, you have had another month of delicious food! That Dutch Apple Cake With Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream is amazing. By the way, the silicone mat is an insert? or is it like a tray? If the latter – is it firm?
Hi, the silicone tray is firm, and the mat is an insert and can be rolled up. I have used the mat and it flexes a bit when you take it out the oven, but it works really well!
Can’t believe it’s already November, Tandy! Time’s flying – love your October roundup and all those delicious highlights!
Thank you!
Congrats on another productive, delicious, and highly successful month in food! As always, I’m excited to see what the next will bring.
Thanks 🙂
I’ve not seen a silicone baking tray before. Are they floppy? That’s what worries me about silicone items – they look floppy, and i fear i would drop the lot 🙂 Yum to the chicken meatballs! Tho i quite often make them with turkey mince instead. So yep not chicken balls at all – hehehehe .. Thanks for joining in and hope you’re having a great month. (only 7 weeks today till Xmas!)
cheers
sherry
The tray is not floppy as it has a frame supporting it. But, it is flexible 🙂
That tray sounds like a game changer. I will share with my husband so that he has some extra christmas gift ideas.
Glad to add to your Christmas list (it was from @home in case he needs guidance) 🙂
Everything looks so good. I’m a sucker for a good one pot recipe so am off to check that out. I’m interested to see how you find your silicone baking tray – keep us posted!
I tried it this weekend and it is perfect for cookies. Not sure about anything else 🙂